What is 'On-Balance Volume (OBV)'

On-balance volume (OBV) is a momentum indicator that uses volume flow to predict changes in stock price. Joseph Granville developed the OBV metric in the 1960s. He believed that, when volume increases sharply without a significant change in the stock's price, the price will eventually jump upward, and vice versa.

BREAKING DOWN 'On-Balance Volume (OBV)'

The theory behind OBV is based on the distinction between smart money – namely, institutional investors – and less sophisticated retail investors. As mutual funds and pension funds begin to buy into an issue that retail investors are selling, volume may increase even as the price remains relatively level. Eventually, volume drives the price upward. At that point, larger investors begin to sell, and smaller investors begin buying.

The OBV is a running total of volume (positive and negative). There are three rules implemented when calculating the OBV. They are:

On-Balance Volume Example Calculation

Below is a list of 10 days' worth of a hypothetical stock's closing price and volume:

Day one: closing price equals $10, volume equals 25,200 shares

Day two: closing price equals $10.15, volume equals 30,000 shares

Day three: closing price equals $10.17, volume equals 25,600 shares

Day four: closing price equals $10.13, volume equals 32,000 shares

Day five: closing price equals $10.11, volume equals 23,000 shares

Day six: closing price equals $10.15, volume equals 40,000 shares

Day seven: closing price equals $10.20, volume equals 36,000 shares

Day eight: closing price equals $10.20, volume equals 20,500 shares

Day nine: closing price equals $10.22, volume equals 23,000 shares

Day 10: closing price equals $10.21, volume equals 27,500 shares

As can be seen, days two, three, six, seven and nine are up days, so these trading volumes are added to the OBV. Days four, five and 10 are down days, so these trading volumes are subtracted from the OBV. On day eight, no changes are made to the OBV since the closing price did not change. Given the days, the OBV for each of the 10 days is:

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